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By CNET
Grand Theft Auto 2 was released in 1999 as the sequel to the original Grand Theft Auto
Grand Theft Auto 2 was developed by DMA Design and published by Rockstar Games in 1999, serving as the direct sequel to the groundbreaking original Grand Theft Auto from 1997. The game maintained the top-down perspective of its predecessor while introducing significant improvements to gameplay mechanics and visual presentation.
The game is set in a futuristic dystopian city in the year 2013
Grand Theft Auto 2 takes place in Anywhere City, a fictional metropolis set in the then-future year of 2013, depicting a dark cyberpunk-inspired urban environment. The setting features advanced technology, corporate dominance, and social decay, creating a unique atmosphere that distinguished it from other crime-themed games of the era.
Players control Claude Speed, a small-time criminal working for various gangs
The protagonist Claude Speed is a silent criminal-for-hire who accepts missions from different gang factions throughout the city. Unlike later GTA protagonists, Claude has no dialogue or defined personality, serving as a blank slate for players to project their criminal fantasies onto.
The game features three distinct districts: Residential, Downtown, and Industrial
Anywhere City is divided into three main areas, each with its own visual style, gang territories, and mission types. Players must progress through each district sequentially, unlocking new areas as they complete objectives and gain respect with various criminal organizations.
Seven different gangs control territories throughout the city
The game features seven major criminal organizations including the Zaibatsu Corporation, the Loonies, the Yakuza, the SRS Scientists, the Rednecks, the Russians, and the Hare Krishna. Each gang has distinct characteristics, territories, and mission types that reflect their unique criminal specialties and cultural backgrounds.
A dynamic respect system determines which gangs will work with the player
Grand Theft Auto 2 introduced an innovative respect system where completing missions for one gang could increase or decrease standing with rival factions. This system created meaningful consequences for player choices and encouraged multiple playthroughs to experience different storylines and alliances.
The game introduced save points in the form of churches
Unlike the original Grand Theft Auto, GTA2 allowed players to save their progress by visiting churches scattered throughout the city and making a donation. This system provided much-needed convenience while maintaining the risk-reward balance that defined the series' early gameplay philosophy.
Vehicles include cars, trucks, buses, and special gang-specific rides
The game features over 60 different vehicles ranging from civilian cars and emergency vehicles to unique gang-specific rides like the Zaibatsu Z-Type and the Dementia Limousine. Each vehicle has distinct handling characteristics, durability, and visual design that reflects the game's futuristic setting.
The wanted level system uses a six-star rating instead of the later series' standard
Grand Theft Auto 2 employed a six-star wanted level system where higher stars brought increasingly aggressive law enforcement responses. At maximum wanted level, players faced heavily armed special agents and military forces, making survival extremely challenging and escape nearly impossible.
Weapons include futuristic firearms and explosives fitting the cyberpunk theme
The arsenal features both conventional weapons like pistols and machine guns alongside futuristic armaments such as the Electro Gun and various explosive devices. The weapon selection reflects the game's 2013 setting while maintaining the series' emphasis on destructive gameplay options.
The game features destructible environments and realistic vehicle damage
Grand Theft Auto 2 introduced enhanced destruction physics where vehicles could catch fire, explode, and sustain visible damage from collisions and gunfire. Buildings and street furniture could also be damaged or destroyed, adding visual feedback to the chaos players created throughout the city.
A day-night cycle affects gameplay with different gang activities
The game implements a dynamic day-night system where certain gang missions and activities only become available during specific time periods. This temporal element added strategic depth and encouraged players to plan their criminal activities around the city's changing rhythms.
Multiplayer modes supported up to six players on PC
Grand Theft Auto 2 included various multiplayer modes for up to six players, featuring competitive gameplay types like races, deathmatches, and objective-based missions. The multiplayer component extended the game's lifespan and allowed friends to experience the chaotic gameplay together.
The soundtrack features original music across multiple radio stations
The game includes several in-game radio stations with original compositions spanning various musical genres from electronic to rock. Each station has its own personality and DJ, creating an immersive audio landscape that enhanced the futuristic urban atmosphere.
Side missions include taxi driving, ambulance service, and fire truck operations
Players can engage in legitimate side jobs by stealing emergency and service vehicles and completing their associated missions. These activities provide alternative income sources and gameplay variety while often leading to hilarious situations as Claude performs civic duties through stolen vehicles.
The game was controversial for its violent content and criminal themes
Grand Theft Auto 2 faced significant criticism and controversy from media watchdog groups and politicians concerned about its graphic violence and criminal subject matter. The controversy actually helped boost the game's profile and sales, establishing a pattern that would continue throughout the series' history.
A Game Boy Color version was released with simplified graphics and gameplay
The handheld adaptation maintained the core Grand Theft Auto experience while adapting the graphics and controls for the Game Boy Color's limitations. Despite reduced visual fidelity, the portable version successfully captured the essence of the criminal sandbox gameplay on a mobile platform.
The game introduced the series' signature top-down camera perspective refinements
While maintaining the bird's-eye view of the original, GTA2 improved camera controls and viewing angles to provide better situational awareness. These enhancements made navigation and combat more intuitive while preserving the strategic overview that defined early Grand Theft Auto gameplay.
Power-ups scattered throughout the city provide temporary advantages
Various power-ups can be found or purchased throughout Anywhere City, offering temporary benefits like increased damage resistance, enhanced weapons, or special abilities. These items add tactical elements to gameplay and provide temporary advantages during difficult missions or high wanted level situations.
The game's AI features improved pedestrian and traffic behavior
Non-player characters in GTA2 exhibit more realistic behaviors compared to the original game, with pedestrians reacting appropriately to violence and traffic following basic driving patterns. These improvements created a more believable urban environment that felt alive and responsive to player actions.
Special kill frenzies challenge players to eliminate targets within time limits
Kill Frenzy missions task players with eliminating specific numbers of targets using designated weapons within strict time constraints. These challenging bonus objectives test combat skills while providing substantial monetary rewards and adding arcade-style excitement to the criminal sandbox.
The Zaibatsu Corporation serves as the primary antagonistic force
The powerful Zaibatsu Corporation represents corporate evil in the game's dystopian setting, controlling significant portions of the city through economic manipulation and private security forces. This mega-corporation serves as both a gang faction and the overarching villain representing unchecked capitalism in the cyberpunk future.
Players can customize their criminal empire through strategic gang alliances
The respect system allows players to shape their criminal career by choosing which gangs to support or betray, creating different narrative paths and mission opportunities. This system encourages multiple playthroughs as players explore various alliance combinations and their consequences on the game world.
The game received generally positive reviews for improving upon the original formula
Critics praised Grand Theft Auto 2 for refining the gameplay mechanics and adding depth while maintaining the anarchic spirit of the original. The improved graphics, enhanced AI, and expanded mission variety were particular highlights that demonstrated the series' evolution and growing sophistication.
Grand Theft Auto 2 was the last game in the series to use the top-down perspective
This entry marked the end of an era for the Grand Theft Auto series, as subsequent games would adopt third-person 3D perspectives starting with Grand Theft Auto III. The top-down view became a defining characteristic of the classic era, representing the series' arcade-style roots before its evolution into cinematic crime epics.